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PHONES - THREAT TO HEARING AID USERS
From: David Farber <farber () central cis upenn edu>
Date: Sat, 11 Sep 1993 02:11:53 -0500
Date: Thu, 9 Sep 1993 18:10:41 +0100 From: Brian.Randell () newcastle ac uk Subject: EuroDigital The attached article about a new digital phone service, about to be launched in the UK, is from the Monday, Sept 6, 1993, issue of The Independent. Also in this issue was a two page advertisement for the new service - the text of this is also attached. My understanding is that the new equipment produces emissions that have characteristics that were not considered when the regulations and guidelines (under which existing devices such as hearing aids were designed) were laid down. If this is right, then the statement by the providers of the new service that the problems are the responsibility of the manufacturers of such devices would seem to be highly questionable. I await with interest RISKs readers' reactions to the article (and the advertisement). Brian Randell, Dept. of Computing Science, University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK Brian.Randell () newcastle ac uk PHONE = +44 91 222 7923 =========== PHONES - THREAT TO HEARING AID USERS Mary Fagan More than two million people who are deaf or hard of hearing face distress and discomfort with the launch this autumn of new digital mobile telephone equipment that interferes with hearing aids, according to the Royal National Institute for the Deaf. The telephones could also cause interference if used close to computer screens, and there is speculation that they could cause problems with other electronic equipment. Last week, Vodafone launched a digital mobile telephone service and Mercury's One-2-One digital service will be onstream within weeks. Cellnet hopes to start a commercial service next year. The new telephones send pulses of radio signal rather than the continuous signal sent by existing analogue cellular telephones. According to the RNID, when these pulsed signals are transmitted close to audio and video equipment they are picked up in wiring, causing interference. Mike Martin, the RNID's chief scientist, said hearing aid users standing up to six feet from a handheld mobile phone could be affected. More powerful car phones could affect pedestrians. The telephones can cause people wearing hearing aids to hear a noise like a bee buzzing. It can drown out other sound and cause pain and considerable distress, a spokesman for the RNID said. Cellnet and Vodafone admit there can be problems with hearing aids and computer screens. But the companies say the problem is with the telephones - which they do not manufacture - and with the equipment affected by them. A spokesman for Vodafone said that the real problem was the standard of hearing aids. In Germany, where there has been most experience with digital telephony, no problems have been experienced. A spokeswoman for Mercury One-2-One said that as the telephones used on One-2-One were very low-power, only equipment very close by could be affected. ----- (Advt.) LIBERTE' The Freedom to make a call in total security We have given you freedom. We have created a secure tomorrow for businessmen and travellers both here and in Europe. New frontiers beckon. Vodafone proudly announces EuroDigital. The most advanced and most secure mobile phone network. So sophisticated that it can even be used to make and receive calls in Europe in total security. EuroDigital represents a revolution in mobile phone technology. A superior digital system that provides a top quality service. A quality that doesn't falter, that doesn't break up. Line rental is 21.50 per month. UK call charges 25p per minute peak, 10p off peak. Only Vodafone can offer this. Liberate yourself. Enjoy freedom of speech and security. Rise above the rest. Call free, 0500 123 123 and ask for more information. All prices are recommended and are exclusive of V.A.T. VODAFONE EuroDigital
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